The Reverand James K. Polk Van Zandt of St. Paul's Episcopal church holds one of the wisemen from the chruch nativity set on Wednesday Jan 2, 2013.

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The local Episcopalian diocese declared a new mission for 2014: to stamp out poverty in Middle Tennessee.

The Episcopal Church in the United States has been known for issuing statements on social issues since the 1970s, and the local diocese continued that tradition during its recent convention at St. Paul's Church in Murfreesboro.

The resolution to reduce poverty was approved Jan. 24 by the 182nd Diocesan Convention for the Diocese of Tennessee, which roughly covers Middle Tennessee. The resolution addresses problems faced by Tennesseans of all faiths, according to the priest at St. ...